Golf club



April 8 1952 T. F. cluRLl-:Y 2,592,013

com CLUB Filed July 7, 1950 Patented Apr. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in golf clubs and more particularly to the wooden clubs, and has for an object to provide the head of the golf club with weights or projectiles so that there will be an additional impact or blow transmitted to the ball when the club face strikes the same.

The invention in its broadest aspect is somewhat similar to the structure shown in the patent granted to H. B. Febiger cn January 14, 1902, bearing Patent No. 690,940.

In the patent above mentioned there are shown two weights mounted for movement in the head of the club, so that when the ball is struck, the weights will travel forwardly and thus add an additional impact when the ball is struck. However, in that instance, there was no means provided to assure the user that the weights were in a position to travel forwardly to add the impact when the club strikes the ball, and the probabilities are that as the golf club head is raised on the upward rear swing, the weights would slide to the face of the club rather than be in their rearward position; and then when the club is brought downwardly, the weights rather than being in their rearward-most position would not travel forwardly to add the impact desired, so that the only advantage, if any, would be the additional mass or weight of the club.

Furthermore, there was no provision made to prevent an air cushion, so that the force of the impact in all probability would be lowered or cushioned. l

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide weights or what might be termed projectiles in the head of the club and to provide a tube or barrel for these weights, so that they may travel freely; and, most important, to provide a magnet behind each weight so that the Weights will normally be in their position to travel and be forced against the inner face plate of the club when the gof ball is struck by the club.

Still another object of the invention is to provide one or more weights that are to be mounted for movement in the relatively short barrels or tubes; and in some instances, one or more of these tubes may be inserted in a small casing as a unit, so that to apply these weights to the head. it is only necessary to cut out a portion of the club and readily insert the relatively small unit.

Still lanother object of the invention is to provide a golf club with one or more weights there-'- in that travel from a'point near the rear of the club to the face plate, and these weights in turn are each mounted in a non-ferrous tube and normally held in position by a small magnet mounted at the rear of the tube.

Thus, after the ball in struck and the golf club put back in the golf bag, the possibilities are that the weights will have moved backwardly within the eld of magnetism and snapped back in position; or, the golfer can, when he takes the club out of the bag, move the club and, not hearing a movement of the weights, he is assured that they are in their position to move forwardly. If, on the otherhand, he hears a slight movement of the weights or feels a slight movement when moving the club, he can turn the club slightly in his hand before using it to make sure that the Weights are back in their proper position to be shot forwardly.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain new and novel arrangements and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings, Showing a preferred form and several modifications,

Fig. l is a view in elevation of the head of a wooden golf club and a portion of the shaft, and the dotted lines about centrally of the face showing one of the weights mounted therein,

Fig. 2 isa vertical cross-section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of what I term a single unit, the parts being broken away to show the tube, the magnet and the sliding weight,

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken approximately on line 4 4 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section, similar to Fig. 2, on an `enlarged scale, of a slightly modified form, showing two tubes, two magnets and sliding weights in a casing, and the casing arranged vertically within the head,

Fig. 6 is a similar horizontal sectional view of the golf club head showing the tubes, magnets and weights arranged horizontally with respect to one another,

Fig. 7 is a cross-section, similar to Figs. 2 and 5, of a further modified form, wherein the outer casing is omitted; and means provided to prevent any air cushion within the tube,

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view, similar to Fig. 6, showing two tubes, magnets, and the weights, arranged horizontally with respect to one another, omitting the outer casing, and showthe screws 5 and the under or heel plate 5 held in position by the screws 1.

Referring now for the moment to Figs. 2, 3 .and 4, there is shown a rectangular casing 8 which is preferably made of a non-ferrous metal, such as aluminum; and in the same is mounted a ltube 9 which at its rear end (Figs. 2 and 3) abuts against a permanent magnet I0, which is button-like in shape and preferably slotted across its front face as at II to form north and south poles.

In the tube Sl is a ferrous metal weight or lprojectile I2, which may be of iron or steel, so that it will be held when in the magnetic field of the aforementioned magnet I0.

It will be understood that the casing 8 vthat holds this tube 9, magnet I5 and projectile I2 is not hermetically sealed; and there is a slight air space between the forward end `of the tube il and the face of the casing 8, so that the air withinthe tube 9 and in front of the projectile I2 may escape when the projectile I2`is moved forwardly.

However, in the modified form, todoubly'assure that there will be no air cushion, I'show aper- .1: tures in the tube 9, as will be mentioned shortly.

It will be understood that the length of the projectile or weight I2 may vary, and the length of the tube 9 'may'also vary.

All that is necessary to do to insert whatmight .be termed the unit I3 in the golf club head I is to remove the under or heel plate 6 andhollow out a chamber to hold the unit I3. The `face plate 4 will also be cut out slightly on its inner face as at I4, so that the forward end I5 of the casing 8 will contact throughout its face with the cutout face I4 of the face plate 4, Vso that the Weight or projectile I2 will impart its force when shot forwardly completely across its face against the wall I5 of `the unit I3 and also against'the ush inner face where it is cut out of the face plate 4. This cutout portion I4 of the face plate 4 may be seen on a little larger scale in Fig. at 35, but in this instance there is no rectangular casing 8 used, as will shortly be mentioned.

The internal diameter of the tube 5 is slightly greater than the external diameter o'f the weight or projectile I2 to also prevent any air pocket or cushion within the tube 5, thus permitting the air to escape between the tube 9 and the outer surface of the cylindrical projectile or weight I2.

Now, when the club is handled, if the head I is tipped slightly, the projectile I2 will vslide rearwardly; and as soon 'as the projectile I2 comes within the magnetic field of the Ymagnet III, it will be drawn thereto and normally held against the magnet It. Then, when the club is raised on the back stroke, there is no possibility of the weight I2 pulling away from the magnet ID,as the magnet I0 is strong enough toprevent the projectile I2 from leaving the magnetic eld by the force of gravity.

Then, when theclub is k.used .to v.strike the ball, tothe 'impact oflthe' club isi addedltheiadditonal impact of the moving projectile, and with the same power exerted, the ball is caused to travel a greater distance than in the ordinary golf club.

It is thought that the duration of time that a golf ball is flattened by the impact of the swinging club until the time it leaves the club` and regains its form is about eight ten-thousandths of a second; and it is during this time that this additional impact of the projectile I2 breaking away from the magnet I0 is imparted :to the force of the club.

It will be understood that the magnet I0 is not so strong that it creates too great a drag but just strong enough to hold the projectile I2 against the magnet I0 until the ball is struck; and it is also thought that this sudden breaking away from the magnet I0 will add greater acceleration to the weight or projectile I2 and give a greater force of .impact than if the magnet IIJ were not used.

Referring now to the modiilcation shown in Fig. 5, there is yshown a portion of the golf club head I6 with the unit I'I therein, which `unit-I1 is similar to the unit f I 3, the diiference being that here the unit I'I' is substantially twice as large as the unit I3, as there are two tubes I5 and20 and two projectiles 2| and 22 and two magnets 23 and 24. In this arrangement I mount the unit IIin a vertical position with respect .to the .golfclub head I6. The face plate is cut outon its inner face as at 26 so that the inner face of thefaoe plate 25 and the outer end of the casing lieflush.

In the form' shown in Fig. 6, the `unit I'I is placed in a horizontal position rather thanin .a vertical position, the remainder of .the structure and elements being exactly the same -asshown ,in .the former ligure, Fig. 5. In other words, inthe one form the projectiles or Weights 2I Vand 22 travel one above vthe other, whereas .in Fig. L6 they travel side by side.

I can use either one unit as shown in Athe preierred formor two; .and .this may depend on the size of the player, `whor'nay want a heavier club than where just a single unit is used.

Referring now to `the .slightly modedform, as shown in Figs. 7, .8 and 9, and referring. for the moment toFig. 7, thereisshown aportion of the head 21, and, rather than mounting the several elements in a casing, `I simply drillout the face of the'head of the club as at.28 to place the vbutton-magnet 29 near the rear `face and then insert thetube V30, in vwhich'will travelthe projectile or weight 3I It will be seen in this form that I drill outthe tube -30 transversely at its opposite ends as at T32 and I cut two small grooves'in the club. as atf33 and 34, which groovesregister withthe respective holes 32. rBhe face plate `I2I' is thencut out fas at .so Ythat'the projectile 3I willhit the .inner surface Yof the face plate 2I squarely, and vthen the .plate Z'I'is again replaced.

Inv Fig. 8 there isa still further modification, whereinthe club head 21 has the partsijustmentoned duplicated as at'36and'31.

In Fig. 9, an exploded View, I have. shown the magnet I0 with its slot II .therein to form'the north and vsouth poles, the projectile I2, and the non-ferrous tube '9, ,and this tube may have the holes`32 therein to preventany-air cushioningof the forwardemoving projectile I2; and the Weight i2 may have a centralbore-32' to-also prevent any air cushioning.

The magnets assure that the projectiles willbe inztheirproper position to' be shot. forward onthe impact i -vwith La -aball when ,.the ball iis f struc'k, Vto 'therefore'.'impart an.'.additional v:force .upon .the

contact and follow-through, and thus cause the ball to travel a greater distance.

I am of the opinion that the magnet, by holding this projectile within its field and then allowing it to break away from the field, may create a greater force than if the projectile were not held by a magnet.

It is also within the province of my invention to hermetically seal the casing 8 and evacuate the air so that the weight I2 will travel in a vacuum.

I am also of the opinion that by having these projectiles shoot forward on the impact of the blow, it will cause the club to strike the ball squarely and thus lessen the tendency 1o put a twist on the ball, which causes a slice or hook.

The club in practice has definitely proved that a player using the same ball and the present club may drive the ball farther than with the ordinary form of club.

I am aware that it is oid to place additional sliding weights in a golf club head and I do not broadly claim my invention as such, but what I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A golf club head having a percussion unit mounted in said head, said unit including a nonferrous metal casing, a non-ferrous metal tube, a magnet mounted to the rear of the tube, a ferrous metal projectile slideable in said tube all enclosed Within said casing, and the projectile adapted to break from said magnet and add additional impact to a golf ball when the said ball is struck by said club.

2. A golf club head having a face plate thereon. a percussion unit mounted in said head and abutting the inner face of said face plate, said unit including a non-ferrous metal casing, a non-ferrous metal tube, a magnet mounted to the rear of the tube, a ferrous metal projectile slideable in said tube all mounted within said casing, and

the projectile adapted to break from said magnet to strike said face plate and thus add additional impact to a golf ball when struck by said club.

3. A golf club head having a ferrous metal weight therein, movable from near the rear or" the golf club head to the inner surface of the striking face of said head, magnetic means for normally holding the weight in its rearward-most position, and means for preventing an air cushion in front of the ferrous metal weight.

4. A golf club head having a non-magnetic tube mounted therein, a ferrous metal weight slideably movable in said tube, magnetic means for holding the Weight in its rearward-most posi- `tion in the tube, and said tube provided with perforations to prevent an air cushion in the tube when said weight moves forwardly.

5. A golf club head having a non-magnetic tube mounted therein, a ferrous metal weight provided'with a central bore, said Weight slideably movable in said tube, magnetic means for holding the weight in its rearward-most position in the tube, and the bore in said Weight-adapted to prevent an air cushion in said tube when said weight moves forwardly.

THOMAS F. CURLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 690,940 Febiger Jan. 14, 1902 1,825,244 Nero Sept. 29, 1931 1,975,307 Ackerman Oct. 21 1934 2,249,454 Brake July 15, 1941 2,379,006 Johnson June 26, 1945 2,458,970 Wilson Jan. 11, 1949 

